§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many places will be available in 1993–94 in the special schemes provided by the Employment562W Service for people with disabilities; what changes are planned in those programmes; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Employment Service's special assistance schemes for people with disabilities provide a wide range of help to overcome different kinds of problems faced by disabled people in obtaining and retaining employment. It is not possible to predict with precision the numbers of people with disabilities who will be helped or the kind of help they will need. However, in 1993–94, it is forecast that 13,140 grants to people with disabilities will be made under the main three schemes—special aids to employment, adaptations to premises and equipment and help with fares to work.
The Employment Service's planned expenditure for 1993–94 on special schemes for people with disabilities is £14.8 million.
The special schemes for people with disabilities are currently under review; an announcement about their future development will be made as soon as possible.